🌟 School Holiday Activities: Fun Ideas for Indoors and Outdoors
- claire2876
- Oct 3
- 3 min read
By the second week of school holidays, many families have already used up their “go-to” activities, and the “I’m bored” moments can start to creep in. The good news? Holidays are a great opportunity to mix things up and try both indoor and outdoor activities that don’t just pass the time, but also build skills, independence, and family connection.
Whether it’s sunny outside ☀️ or raining 🌧, there are plenty of creative, active, and relaxing options that work for kids, teens, and the whole family. These ideas are practical, low-cost, and can even support therapy goals such as fine motor skills, problem-solving, and emotional regulation.
✨ School Holiday Activities for Kids
Children thrive on variety, routine, and hands-on experiences. Balancing indoor and outdoor play helps them burn energy, learn new skills, and explore their creativity.
Craft Time 🎨Set up an art station with paints, stickers, playdough, or recycled materials. Crafts encourage fine motor skills, creativity, and imagination. Try themed projects such as making nature collages from leaves, or building cardboard castles.
Outdoor Adventures 🚴Fresh air and movement are important for regulation. Go for a bike ride, visit a local playground, or take a nature walk. These activities build gross motor skills, coordination, and resilience.
Puzzle Play 🧩Jigsaws, shape sorters, or Lego challenges build problem-solving, attention, and persistence. This is perfect for quieter indoor moments.
Obstacle Course 🏠/🏞Indoors: use cushions, tunnels, or tape on the floor for balance games. Outdoors: set up cones, skipping ropes, or hoops. Obstacle courses build coordination, sequencing, and core strength.
Story Time 📚Create a reading corner with books or audiobooks. For extra fun, encourage your child to invent their own story and illustrate it. This builds language skills, creativity, and focus.
🎧 School Holiday Activities for Teens
Teenagers often crave independence, but they still need structure and opportunities to explore their interests. Activities that mix creativity, responsibility, and fun can keep them engaged.
Movie Marathon 🎥Choose a theme (superheroes, classics, comedies) and create a movie night at home with themed snacks. This is a great social activity for siblings or friends.
Photography Challenge 📷Encourage teens to experiment with indoor still-life photography, or head outdoors to capture nature or street photography. This develops creativity, patience, and reflection.
Cooking Skills 🍳Support independence by encouraging your teen to cook a meal or dessert for the family. Cooking builds confidence, sequencing skills, and life-long independence.
Sports and Movement 🏀If the weather is good, encourage basketball, soccer, or skateboarding. Movement supports physical and emotional wellbeing. Indoors, try fitness apps or YouTube workout videos.
Creative Journaling 📖Journaling helps with reflection, self-expression, and emotional regulation. Teens can combine doodles, photos, or quotes for a creative spin.
👨👩👧 School Holiday Activities for Families
Holidays are about connection, and shared activities create lasting memories. Whether inside or outside, family time can build teamwork, communication, and fun.
Bake Together 🍪Make cookies, muffins, or pizzas as a family. This builds teamwork and teaches practical skills. Kids and teens can take turns leading steps in the recipe.
Family Puzzle or Game Night 🧩🎲Puzzles, card games, or board games are perfect for evenings. These build problem-solving, patience, and laughter.
Day Trip Adventures 🏞Plan outings like the zoo, museum, beach, or local bushwalk. These experiences give families a break from routine and encourage exploration.
Talent Show 🎭Encourage each family member to showcase something they enjoy — singing, dancing, jokes, or magic tricks. This boosts confidence and celebrates individuality.
Gratitude & Connection Time 💬End the day with a “gratitude circle” where everyone shares something positive. This strengthens emotional regulation, reflection, and family connection.
By week two of the school holidays, a little creativity goes a long way. Indoor and outdoor activities keep kids and teens engaged, give parents a break from “what now?” moments, and strengthen family bonds. Best of all, these ideas don’t need to cost much — they’re about spending time together and building skills along the way.
👉 For more activity ideas, read our blog here: School Holiday Activities for Kids, Teens, and Families
If you’d like more tailored holiday ideas linked to your child’s therapy goals, our occupational therapy and speech pathology team can design personalised home programs that are both fun and purposeful.
